Chapter 1: What is the main topic discussed in this episode?
This is an Irish Independent Podcast. Hello, everybody, and welcome to the Left Wing Podcast. Will Slattery here with you. And tonight we are going to be reviewing the Champions Cup quarterfinal weekend. Another very interesting weekend of European rugby.
Leinster booked their place in the semifinals for a sixth consecutive year, although it's probably the only quarterfinal that didn't really catch fire. We had Batten or Hampton on Friday night. Batten had a big comeback. Toulon upset in Glasgow. Glasgow dumped out of the tournament on home soil on Saturday afternoon and then Bordeaux-Toulouse. What an epic that was in Bordeaux on Sunday.
Bordeaux knocking out Toulouse for the second season in a row and then in the Challenge Cup Ulster have a home straight final to look forward to. They beat Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle while Connacht's European season ended against Montpellier. So all that to look forward to on tonight's episode of the Left Wing Podcast. Joining me as always is Luke Fitzgerald. Luke, how are things? Good, Will.
How are you? Doing very well. Doing very well.
Chapter 2: What were the highlights of Bordeaux's victory over Toulouse?
Also, I'd like to welcome back to the show. We moved it to a Monday to accommodate Rory O'Connor. How are you doing, Rudd?
Thanks, Will. Yeah, good. Thanks. Good to be here.
Good to be back. Yeah, good to have you back. I'm looking forward to chatting tonight. A reminder, The Left Wing is sponsored by Energia. Energia supports Irish rugby at every level of the women's game. This week sees Ireland's first home match of the Women's Six Nations as they take on Italy on Saturday at the Dexcom Stadium in Galway.
Energy are proud supporters of the Ireland women's teams and hope to see fans out in force in Connacht Rugby's fantastic new stadium, Energy. Think of the possibilities. And we'll touch on Ireland's Six Nations opener against England as well later in the show run. But first, I want to start with Bordeaux yesterday.
not only the city but the game we saw unfold between Bordeaux and Toulouse it was going to build this clash of the titans the two tournament favourites both locked and loaded as I mentioned they played in the semi-final last year but Toulouse were down a lot of bodies didn't feel like a fair representation of the rivalry whereas we got them both pretty much full strength on Sunday Bordeaux 15-5 down early in the second half on home soil and then surging to the finish line 30 points to 15 what did you make of the game?
I loved every bit of it. I just thought it was everything this competition can be and you want it to be. I know sometimes all French clashes can disappoint and they can become almost an extension of the top 14. And there was a bit of that in terms of the first... you know, scoreless for the first 20, 25 minutes. And it was, it was all, it was a war.
It was a, you know, in rugby terms, obviously use these terms and likely these days, but it was a proper test match intensity, um, game, game of rugby and every breakdown, um, was contested so ferociously. The only thing that let it down, I thought, was the performance of referee Matt Carley, and particularly the fact that he couldn't speak French, which I think really...
didn't help the kind of flow of that first half and I think he struggled a little bit with the pace of the game I don't know was he a bit taken aback by how intense and vicious every contact was but when it opened up in the second half went end to end I thought Bordeaux's performance was magnificent the way they defended their line in the face of what Toulouse threw at them and Toulouse threw pretty much everything at them in the first half
they it was truly champion stuff from from what the team i think are the best team in europe right now without a couple of their best players um on home soil which obviously helps a lot in this tournament and then they went and they broke to lose and they broke them really really impressively their breakdown uh their jackal threat was incredible and they're the standout team with two games to go they obviously any team can be beaten on the day but
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Chapter 3: How did Leinster perform against Sale in the quarterfinals?
Perhaps. Anyway, regardless, the scoreline wouldn't have told you that that had an impact on the game. What I felt like towards the latter part of the second half, particularly when the pace of the game kind of stayed so high from, you know, probably from 30 minutes, 25 minutes in the game to about, you know, 60, 65 minutes, 70 minutes. It was rapid.
Like they were, the amount of guys that were kind of one man rooks, guys picking and going, all flow. Like there was so much skills on show. That kind of stuff really takes it out of you when you're a body down. And obviously as well for, you know, they had 10 minutes without, you know, best player in the world, DuPont. So I thought that did impact them. You know, obviously,
Ramos had to go in there and like what a player that guy is I mean he just like he looked at home at nine but yeah I did kind of a brilliant performance but also a kind of sloppy performance by Toulouse like even the kick for Ramos but just you know when they get that try you're just going to go it's so unlike him to miss anything let alone that with just a lapse of concentration so
Yeah, kind of a few big moments kind of cost them. I thought that what it did was all the pressure and the territory that they had for good portions of the game, they weren't really able to break down Bordeaux at the end because they had nothing left themselves. So that's the Toulouse part. Bordeaux, on the other hand, I agree. Look, it took two to tango there.
Honestly, I thought Toulouse had the edge, but with those things, with those kind of moments, really, really impacted the game for Toulouse. But Bordeaux was still unbelievable. I love what you said, Will, about the kind of gritty edge to the performance from the pack and hanging tough against what is a really meaty Toulouse pack. It's a pretty big pack that Bordeaux have as well.
But I thought some lovely skills on show. powerful maul like powerful maul like that's a real weapon for them they have a few great poachers which is perfect for that team because you just look at the back the back three are just They're so exciting to watch, aren't they? And I thought Jalabair... I mean, I'm not sure I rated Jalabair as highly as maybe I should have.
I thought there was a clear difference between... between himself. Maybe the injuries, in fairness, have impacted... Ant-Mac. Ant-Mac, excuse me. I always think of his dad's name first. But... Yeah, I always thought there was a difference. I think that gap was closing. He's magnificent.
The range of his kicking, he's great out of hand on the long ones, but some of the short kicking as well, fantastic. He's strong in the carry, his ball playing ability. He was outstanding yesterday. And the try, guys. I mean, the try. I thought it was illegal. I did think they went through the back.
of the Toulouse player who was retreating after the chip through but god the deft touch to keep the ball in play and not step out of play and then get over the line even the acceleration he took in the building the camera was tied to the rook so he kind of explodes onto your TV screen and all of a sudden he's through the gap and it was just a beautiful bit of acceleration
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Chapter 4: What are Ulster's prospects in the Challenge Cup?
But I agree on the whole, like what a match that was. They were definitely the two best teams in the competition so far. And it was a serious game of rugby, like Willis on the deck, some of DuPont's kicking guys and some of his tackling. Wow. I just was so impressed with them. I just, I just, you know, when you watch, there's a few players out there that are the complete rugby player.
They're the complete, like Ramos, Jalabert. I even think, You know, we all talk about Pierre Brie and that pace, that magical pace. But he's got a bit of everything, guys. He's a good tackler. I know they got that 50-22 in the first half. Do you remember that lovely kick in behind from N to Mac? It's like a 50-meter kick in behind him. How he gets back and nearly keeps it in play.
I think he might have kept it in play, actually. I'm not sold that he actually was. It was on the edge.
I agree with you. It was on the edge. But regardless, just great play all around. And I loved every minute of it. Absolutely loved it. Sorry, I know I went on and on, but there's so much to talk about in it, isn't there? Yeah.
it looked like you were going to come in there I thought Ramos got bored with the kick battle he got sucked in he almost got carried away with the with the atmosphere and just there was a couple of times Bordeaux just baited him it's counterattacking and then turned him over and there were big moments during the time that the the game was right in the mixer.
Look at how good Hugo Keenan was for Leinster on Saturday. He's world-class 15. And I know he played a bit at nine as well, but I thought if he was playing for France under Sean Edwards, I'm not sure he would have run some of those balls back. I know he does crazy things for France sometimes as well. I think Willis' performance is notable, particularly because he is Irish qualified after October.
Stop saying that. He is. Stop saying that. He was. He's never going to ever in a million years play for Ireland.
I wouldn't rule it out in the long term. On what planet would he ever play for Ireland? Well, if someone made him an offer, he couldn't refuse and sign them.
I mean, if the RFU were going after... The places that England are shite.
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Chapter 5: What factors led to Connacht's exit from the European competition?
The RFU just made... Now, I don't think it was as strong as the fellas, De Lutis' agent made out.
That was the biggest agent plant I've ever seen.
I know, absolutely. But the RFU are currently on a mission to recruit Irish qualified players. They've signed Josh Neill from South Africa, Ulster have two Irish qualified teenagers coming over next year. They are scouring the world for Irish qualified talent who can add to what Ireland are in the mix. Ireland currently have...
a bit of a dearth behind although Nick Timoney had a brilliant six nations so I wouldn't say they're a massive weakness at seven but there is a player there who's played out of his skin and I think there will be the next time his contract is up Ireland have tried to sign Tom Willis several times he's turned him down I'm sure they've tried to sign Jack Willis before you know
it's not to be dismissed i think i think he's under a long contract the like the french have tendency to buy contracts out i don't see david humphries going over and offering to lose money to buy out his contract to sign him back but i i think there's there's something in it and i don't think i'm not saying he's coming back straight away but he is irish qualified he's available from the october and he's a very good player and i don't think that's coming back where he's very
he's English he's unbelievable even like even that 2024 final at DuPont was unbelievable Willis was almost as good he was absolutely epic in that final too and I agree he was unbelievable Hodgson Satutu is going to play for England in maybe even this summer because he's signing for Newcastle Red Bull he's an all-black
This rule is there to be exploited. Everyone's doing it. I don't like it.
I just don't see a world where Ireland get one of the best flankers in the world who could play for England. England would obviously come in with a massive power play to take him if he was willing to leave to lose.
Yeah, but I'd say, well, I mean, you could read into the fact that Tom Willis is going to France, to Bordeaux next season and think that the Willises don't think much of Steve Borthwick's coaching. So look, Andy Farrell's very... There are cards there if you're playing. I'm not saying it's happening. I'm just... It's worthy of note, I think. And he is a very, very good player.
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Chapter 6: How did Ireland fare in their Women's Six Nations opener against England?
So I don't know what's going on there because Ireland are having the same issues, but Leinster are having serious issues there. And I'm really concerned about that part of the game in the bigger matches. I think they'll get hosed by pretty much all the teams left in the competition if they don't figure out what's going on there. And it has to be a technique issue. I can't see how it's...
Like it's not a resource issue, like maybe at one it is at the moment, but generally speaking, like there's some seriously good athletes there, like big, powerful men. And so it has to be a technique thing. So I don't know how else to say it, but I think the coach has got to step up and sort it out. You know, I just haven't seen a massive amount of accountability for that.
And I haven't seen any results yet. you know, that would lead me to, you know, be comfortable coming into the last part of this competition around that part of the game. So they're all the kind of concerning parts. On the flip side, I thought the line-out was very good for the most part. One or two sloppy ones, but some good stuff, some nice creativity.
Sheehan is, jeez, he's the absolute key, isn't he? Like, what a player that guy is. There's nothing he can't do. He was outstanding on the weekend in pretty much every facet. I thought... I did like some of the players. As I said, on the flip side for Burn, I thought he controlled the game quite well. I didn't think he overplayed too much. I think his ball handling looks good.
I think Ringroll's probably maybe a little bit rusty, so hopefully he gets a little bit better. But yeah, I mean, they look a little bit different. I think Keenan adds a huge amount. I don't know what you guys think. I know everyone will talk about his kicking in the air, guys, but...
and some of his high ball takes and there's some lovely bits there I think what he gives you around the pitch ball handling wise and just how he opens up the pitch for you I think he's a key guy for Leinster so interesting to see now as he kind of gets into his stride and hopefully stays injury free how much more of an impact he can have and you know Tommy O'Brien I mean he's the energizer bunny for this team at the moment he's absolutely key as well so it's a jumble of thoughts there but hope I covered the negatives and the positives
to me work in progress for Leinster and a little bit unconvinced that wasn't a great sale team that was out no Curry brothers there you know and I just think not sure we found out too much about Leinster there on the weekend if I'm being completely honest I still am not the jury's out is probably the best way to describe it yeah there was three moments in the first half that caught my eye one was Jack Conan got a good steal on the right wing Tommy O'Brien
Grubber kicked through or carried up the line and they put it into Ryan Baird in midfield he's knocked it on under absolutely no pressure and then a few minutes later Gibson Park slid a Grubber kick in Ioanni regathered it Josh van der Vleer throws a dreadful pass that's like skittling along the ground I think John McCarthy I think knocked it on and then to Luke's point
to Luke's point just before half time it was actually a move reminiscent of the La Rochelle final a couple of years ago Sheehan and Conan linked the line out and then McCarthy takes a big carry up to the line but then his ball placement is really sloppy and it squirts out keep the ball in here until it's clear you know you can see he knows there's going to be guys right there I know he wants to get the ball quick on the ground
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Chapter 7: What are the implications of Leinster's current form for upcoming matches?
You can't be ambitious all the time. You've got to be sensible. You've got to play some high probability stuff and go forward. it's, it's, it's such a basic thing. Everyone is, you'd be bored hearing guys talking about it, but it's the most important thing in the game is that you can push the defense back a little bit to give yourself space. It's not that much space in the pitch anymore.
Um, so doing that and doing it in the tight parts of the pitch, so important guys, like really, really important to me. It's like, it's the key to everything. Everything flows. You don't look like a great team if you're not doing, if you're, if you're not having any success on the inside channels, it is just personal opinion.
Yeah. It is worth mentioning, Rudder, that they played some great stuff in that second half. If you go to their second half tries, like the Hugo Keenum one in the build-up, Harry Burns throws two great passes. The first one arguably ended with Tommy O'Brien throwing a forward pass, which wasn't flagged. And then he puts, I think, Gary Ringrose to a hole with a lovely delayed pass.
You know, the Ryan Baird try, like Conan and Baird execute a very good 2-on-1. Considering the pace they show, both of them to get in that position, I thought it was very impressive. you know, Ringrose going against the grain, putting Harry Burnham, who offloads the ball, to Sheehan, who puts in Ioane and the Tommy O'Brien chip. And then Jamie Osborne's one-off to Dan Sheehan break at the end.
Like, that is really good. That's the best Leinster have probably looked this season.
Yeah, it looked pretty slick. And I think Burnham is at the heart of it. And I accept what Luke said about his tackling and kicking earlier, but I thought it was quite mature performance from him in terms of his game control and the kind of the nuts and bolts of 10 play. And I think he's looking really confident. He looks like the...
The decision to select him, which he's earned, has just given him that belief that maybe he has been lacking, that maybe the injuries have taken away the last couple of years. Like Harry Byrne was bulletproof confident when he was coming through at under 20s, the early stages of his career when he was getting selected, you know, to start European games.
And then his body gave up on him and he was called up. We all know he's called up for Ireland early on. He was the chosen one before Prendergast ever appeared on the scene, but he just couldn't get on the pitch. And now we're seeing why so many coaches rated him so highly. I thought in the first half, his refusal to take the terms being set by Ford was really impressive.
I thought he changed the picture during the kick battle a couple of times. One time with that cross kick to Tommy O'Brien that got them field position. Another time he played a lovely one-two. I think it was with O'Brien as well. He just... against a more experienced 10 who came with a really distinct game plan. I thought he just got out of the battles in a creative way.
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Chapter 8: How can Ulster capitalize on their recent performances in the league?
That was creative. I mean, he's such a good player. Like, he's great at everything. Like, he would be a great back rower as well. He's got the pace. He's obviously got that extra little bit of weight maybe versus an extra, you know, versus a back rower. So you see him obviously busting through a lot of tackles. He's got those skills as well. I mean, he's great in open spaces.
Yeah, I love everything about Sheehan. So I think the more we see him, the better. And Rudd's made a good point about like once you can kind of conserve the legs for the last 20 minutes without having to scrum, I think it makes a massive difference to someone like him. It should allow him to play an extra 10 or 15 minutes if you need it. Now,
You know, when you have Doris there, you know, you have a couple of... Like, Leinster have some serious options they can deploy there when they've got the full kind of contingent. So, I mean, you wonder, do you... You know... Do you deprive some of those guys who would be fresh coming on the pitch of some time, potentially? Look, it's always nice to add another option.
But I think in the big games... I'd probably just lean towards the specialists, you know, that kind of way. Like, I thought Penny was actually really good when he came on. I mean, I always have felt like, you know, he's on the kind of smaller side for maybe the bigger games, but wow, he looked so physical when he came on. I thought that tackle, was it on about...
was it 45 minutes, 50 minutes, whatever, but maybe it was a little bit after that. He had a tackle and he had a, he had a, I think, I don't know if he poached, I think he, sorry, I think he got neck rolled actually. He did a nice, he did a beautiful tackle in the middle of the pitch and it kind of was a bit of a turning point.
They got that penalty in the middle of the pitch, pinged the penalty into the sale, onto the sale 22 and I just thought it kind of, there was a period in the game where I could have gone, oh, is this still in the balance or not? And that was a big moment for the team and that's what you need from guys coming off the bench. yeah, like,
He would remind me a little bit of Sheehan in terms of what he's like in the open. He's great at the breakdown. I thought they're kind of similar looking size as well for the most part. Maybe a little bit smaller penny, but I was impressed by him. He doesn't have the height, but God, he was powerful. So... It's an interesting one. I like to see them being creative.
It didn't really matter against Sale. Against a big team, I don't know. You're only using that if it's last-ditch. I'd probably still lean towards having a specialist there on the bench. Personal opinion. Don't know if I'm right on that one.
I think it just means that they can go 5-3 more comfortably because they have another option as well. It just gives them another, you know, effectively hybrid. His brother does it for Lansdowne and you said he previously quite regularly he shifts between 2 and 8.
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